Perhaps youve had a few too many brokencondomsruining the moment.
Or maybe you want the option of an incredibly effective, reversible, yet hormone-free method ofbirth control.
IUDs are split into two categories: hormonal and non-hormonal.
Lalocracio/Getty Images
IUDslike any form of birth controlcan be perfect for some people and inadvisable for others.
Here are a few reasons why an IUD could be an excellent choice for you.
This means fewer than one out of 100 women will get pregnant each year when using an IUD.
A lot of this comes down to the fact that IUDs are hard to mess up.
That implant (Nexplanon) goes in your arm and can be used for up to three years.
But IUDs are different.
After the insertion, theres not much maintenance involved.
Your doctor may just recommend youcheck the stringshanging from the bottom of the IUD once a month.
Conditions likeendometriosisanduterine fibroidscan make your period a living hell, full of debilitating pain and excessive bleeding.
In that case, a hormonal IUD may help with that.
You have the greatest likelihood of your period disappearing or being suppressed with [that], she says.
Worth noting: The copper IUD typicallywontmake yourperiodbetter because it doesnt contain hormones.
For some, it can actuallymake bleeding heavier and cause more crampsbecause the copper can have an irritating effect.
Hormones arent for everyone.
Youre breastfeeding.Estrogen interacts in various ways withprolactin, a hormone thats necessary for breastmilk production.
But they may also advise against estrogen in your birth control altogether.
Youre a smoker.Smoking is obviously incredibly detrimental to your heart health.
Some just arent into the idea of taking hormonal birth control.
Maybe youve had a bad reaction to one in the pastDr.
Minkin notes that alowered libidois a common complaintand prefer to go sans hormones in the future.
In that case, a copper IUD might be a good choice for you.
If hormones arent your bag, talk to your doctor about the possibility of going with the copper IUD.
Listen, the insertion procedure can hurt.
Even with all their benefits, IUDs arent for everyone.
Here are a few reasons why a different birth control may be better for you.
(Some women whose IUDs have expelledstill choose to get another onebecause of the benefits they offer.)
There are even some pills specially designed to lengthen how long you go between periods.
IUDs can be expensive if your insurance doesnt cover them.
While most women are fine to have an IUD inserted, there are a few exceptions.
Estrogen has some wonderful properties, Dr. Minkin says.
For one, it helps to preventbreakthrough bleeding, which can be a problem with progestin-only birth control.
Estrogen can also help diminish or even entirely banishacnefor some people.
Estrogen acts as an antidote to testosterone, which is a main contributor to acne, Dr. Minkin says.
The vaginal mucosa is very sensitive to a lack of estrogen, Dr. Minkin says.
